Can I relocate to another country with my child?

Only with the other parent’s consent or by court decision. The court looks at the child’s interests: the reasons for the move, school, housing, the possibility of contact with the other parent. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Convention on child abduction, so it is better to resolve the dispute before leaving, not after.

The Hague Convention won’t help

The UAE is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on child abduction. There is no fast mechanism for returning a child who has been taken abroad, so a relocation dispute is resolved before departure.

Violetta Absalyamova

Business support and legal matters

Tell us what is happening in your family or with your documents

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Legal Services in the UAE

Divorce, Custody and Family Matters in the UAE

Q: We married outside the UAE. Can we divorce here?

As a rule, yes, if you live in the UAE. Non-Muslims file under the federal civil law or ask for the law of their own country to be applied. The case is heard by the court of the emirate where you live. In Abu Dhabi, that is the Civil Family Court: it accepts residents of the emirate and couples who married there, if the spouses come from countries where family law is not based on Sharia. In Dubai — the Dubai Courts. You will need the marriage certificate legalised and translated into Arabic.

Q: How does divorce work for non-Muslims?

An application by one spouse is enough. Under Law 41/2022, there is no need to give reasons or to prove harm or fault on the part of the other spouse, and there is no family reconciliation committee. The other spouse is notified, and the divorce decision is usually issued at the first hearing. Custody, maintenance and property are decided in the same case or separately. The procedure is detailed in Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023.

Q: Until what age does joint custody last?

Until 18 under the federal civil law, and until 16 under Abu Dhabi law, after which the child may choose a parent. The court may depart from joint custody in the child’s interests, and a parent may waive it in writing. For Muslims, custody ends at 18, and from the age of 15 the child may choose which parent to live with, unless the court decides otherwise.

Q: Can we have a civil marriage in the UAE?

Yes, if neither of you is Muslim. In Abu Dhabi, the Civil Family Court registers marriages from the age of 18, and residency is not required. The application is filed online: AED 300 — up to 10 working days, AED 2,500 — within 1 working day; no witnesses are needed. In Dubai — the Dubai Courts, if at least one of the couple lives in Dubai and both are at least 21; you attend in person or through a representative, with originals. You need passports and proof that you are free to marry.

Q: My visa has expired after a divorce or the sponsor’s death — what should I do?

Act immediately: AED 50 accrues for each day beyond the grace period. Under ICP rules, sponsored visas, including family visas, get 60 days from cancellation, and divorced wives and widows of residents get 180; in Dubai, we confirm the period with GDRFA. Options include a new visa through an employer, your own company or a relative, or a Golden or Green Visa if you qualify. We first check your status and fines, then choose the route — details on the “Visas” page.

Q: My employer has reported that I stopped coming to work. What does that mean for me?

It affects your visa and future employment. An employer may file a report of absence from work — commonly called absconding — with the MOHRE after 7 consecutive days of absence. If the ministry confirms it, the work permit is cancelled, and a new one is, as a rule, not issued for a year. The report is challenged with evidence that you were working, were absent for a valid reason or left lawfully — and the sooner, the better. We handle the visa side together with the visa team.

Q: How do I arrange a power of attorney for personal matters in the UAE?

Before a UAE notary — in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, online as well — or before a notary abroad with subsequent legalisation. We set out specific powers: the bank, the court, immigration, the school, a property transaction. If you are signing abroad, we prepare the text in two languages from the start: UAE authorities will need an Arabic translation anyway.

Divorce, child custody, a trip abroad with a child, an overstayed visa or an error in documents — in the UAE, these are governed by different laws depending on religion, emirate and citizenship. We determine which law will apply to you specifically and handle the case together with UAE-licensed advocates and the GOFIRM visa team.

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No fault
Non-Muslim divorce — without proving harm or the spouse’s consent: First hearing
Where a non-Muslim divorce is usually decided: Until 18
Joint custody under the federal civil law: EN · AR
We communicate in English and Arabic

Everything we do in the UAE

In short

Family matters in the UAE fall under different laws: for Muslims, the 2024 federal personal status law; for non-Muslims, the 2022 civil law; in Abu Dhabi, a local 2021 law. A non-Muslim divorce needs no proof of fault and is usually decided at the first hearing; joint custody lasts until 18.

Checked 16 October 2026 · Violetta Absalyamova

Cost of a mistake

AED 50 a day

For each day beyond the grace period if the spouse’s and children’s visas are not moved to a new sponsor after a divorce (ICP, October 2026).

How to avoid it

Which law will apply to your family

Family matters of Muslims are governed by the 2024 federal personal status law, those of non-Muslims by the 2022 civil law, and in Abu Dhabi by a 2021 local law. Foreigners may ask for the law of their own country to be applied.

Divorce without proof of fault
A non-Muslim can divorce on a unilateral application: no reasons need to be given, there is no family reconciliation committee, and the decision is usually issued at the first hearing.
Custody is joint
Under the federal civil law, parents retain joint custody after divorce until the child turns 18; in Abu Dhabi, until 16. The court changes this only in the child’s interests.
Travel with a child requires consent
If the other parent objects, a child can be taken abroad only with the court’s permission. Each parent may ask for a temporary travel ban on the child.
The family’s status rests on the visa
The spouse’s and children’s visas are tied to the sponsor. A divorce, the sponsor’s death or loss of their job requires the visas to be transferred before the grace period expires.

Violetta AbsalyamovaHead of Legal Practice · Business support and legal matters

Situations

What clients come to us with

Typical situations

01You are divorcing in the UAE — the marriage was concluded here or abroad — and need to understand which law will apply.
02You need to agree on or settle custody in court, a contact schedule or maintenance.
03You want to travel or relocate with your child and the other parent objects — or you fear the child will be taken abroad.
04You are planning a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi or Dubai and want to address property and children in advance.
05Your visa is overstayed, cancelled or at risk after a divorce, the sponsor’s death or dismissal.
06You need a power of attorney for a relative or a correction of an error in documents for matters in the UAE.

Similar, but different

01You only need a visa for your spouse or children, with no contested issues.Visas
02You need to legalise a certificate of marriage or birth from another country.Legalisation
03You need to make or update a will — for example, after a divorce or a new marriage.Inheritance and DIFC Wills
04A former spouse won’t repay a loan unrelated to maintenance or the division of property.Personal Debts
05There is a foreign court judgment on maintenance or property, and it needs to be enforced against assets in the UAE.Enforcement of Judgments

Applicable law

Three UAE family laws — on the same questions

Which law applies is decided by religion and emirate, and non-Muslim foreigners may ask for the law of their own country. The terms are based on the official UAE and Abu Dhabi portals and practitioner reviews as of October 2026; we check them again on the filing date.

Who it applies to

Non-Muslims in the UAE

either spouse may ask for the law of their own country

Divorce

Application by one spouse

no reasons, no fault, no reconciliation committee

Custody after divorce

Joint — until 18

Travel abroad with a child

Other parent’s consent or the court

Art. 21, Cabinet Resolution No. 122/2023

Click an option to highlight it across every parameter

Who it applies to

Non-Muslims in the UAE

either spouse may ask for the law of their own country

Abu Dhabi residents

and couples married at the Abu Dhabi civil court — from countries without Sharia-based law

Muslims and mixed couples

if the husband is Muslim; a foreigner may insist on the law of their own country

Divorce

Application by one spouse

no reasons, no fault, no reconciliation committee

Application by one spouse

no-fault divorce; filed through a typing centre

Family counsellor first

the session is mandatory; without an agreement — a referral to court

Custody after divorce

Joint — until 18

Joint — until 16

applies automatically

Mother, then father

in the child’s interests; custody until 18

Travel abroad with a child

Other parent’s consent or the court

Art. 21, Cabinet Resolution No. 122/2023

Other parent’s consent or the court

Art. 37, Abu Dhabi Resolution No. 8/2022

Other parent’s consent or the court

the court may allow up to 60 days a year, with a guarantee of return

How long a divorce takes

Usually decided at the first hearing

Court target — one month

from case registration

Counseling, then court

the referral is filed with the court within a month

Child chooses a parent

From 18

From 16

from 12, the court may consider the child’s view if a parent is removed from custody

From 15

unless the court decides otherwise

Travel ban on a child

Temporary — on a parent’s application

Art. 22, Resolution No. 122/2023

On a parent’s application

if there is a risk of non-return; Art. 38, Resolution No. 8/2022

No travel without the guardian’s permission

the passport is kept by the guardian — not necessarily the parent the child lives with; otherwise — a court decision, Arts. 117, 124

Taking a child without consent — penalty

Crimes and Penalties Law, Art. 380

abducting a child or failing to hand a child over under a court decision

Crimes and Penalties Law, Art. 380

abducting a child or failing to hand a child over under a court decision

Imprisonment and/or up to AED 50,000

fine from AED 5,000, Art. 252; plus Art. 380 of the Crimes and Penalties Law

Maintenance for a former wife

At the court’s discretion

if the prenuptial agreement is silent: length of marriage, age, incomes, role in the divorce

Separate application after divorce

if the parties have not agreed

Iddah, maintenance and housing

in a khula divorce, the children’s rights to maintenance and custody cannot be waived

Benefits

What you get

The applicable law — before the first step

We determine which law will apply to the marriage and the children — federal, Abu Dhabi or the law of your country — while a choice can still be made.

Lawyer and visas in one team

Divorce, custody and visas are linked. If the sponsor changes, the GOFIRM visa team transfers the family’s status without a gap.

An agreement instead of a war

We prepare an agreement on custody, the schedule, travel and maintenance, and have it confirmed by the court so the children don’t become the subject of a dispute.

Family documents in order

Legalisation of certificates, Arabic translations, powers of attorney, corrections of errors — so that the claim, the visas and the school don’t stall over a single letter.

The case proceeds while you are abroad

We handle most filings under a power of attorney. You take part where the law requires personal attendance.

Video consultation with a lawyer

Does the other parent object to a trip with your child?

Tell us where you are going and for how long, and what has already been decided about the children. We will tell you whether court permission is needed and whether there is a risk of a travel ban.

Violetta Absalyamova

Business support and legal matters

How the case proceeds

Travel with a child and divorce: who does what

Three common scenarios, each with its own sequence. From you — documents, a power of attorney and attendance where the law requires you in person.

You

Consent — in writing

Where, for how long and when the child will return. The other parent’s written consent settles the matter without a court.

GOFIRM

Application to the court

If they refuse or don’t respond, we prepare an application for permission: the purpose of the trip, school, housing and how contact with the other parent will be maintained.

Authority

Court decision

The court proceeds from the child’s interests. Under the law for Muslims, permission is granted with a guarantee of return.

If a ban is already in place

While the ban is in force, only the court can allow travel — on a separate application.

For Muslims, the court may allow trips totaling up to 60 days a year, and longer for medical treatment and other needs. The UAE is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention, so the dispute is resolved before departure.

Process

7 steps from the first conversation to the result

Every step is visible in the client portal: what’s happening now and whether we need anything from you.

Steps on your side: 1 of 7

We handle it · 4Needed from you · 1Authority · 2

Where and how the marriage was concluded, religion, citizenship, emirate of residence, the children and their visas. We determine the applicable law and the court.

Step 1 of 7

Reviewing the situation

Where and how the marriage was concluded, religion, citizenship, emirate of residence, the children and their visas. We determine the applicable law and the court.

We handle it1–3 working days

Documents

What to gather — for your situation

Divorce, money, a child, marriage or a visa — each issue has its own set. Tick what you already have.

Information

Documents

Ready

0 / 9

Documents issued abroad need consular legalisation, MOFA attestation and an Arabic translation: the UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention.

Timing and budget

What makes up the budget

The budget depends on whether the parties have reached agreement: an agreed divorce is many times simpler than a custody dispute. We state our fee and the budget for each stage in advance.

ItemDepends onWhen

Court feesDepends onFor a divorce, custody or maintenance claim — at the rates of the onshore court or the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court. We state the amount before filing.WhenOn filing
UAE advocate’s feeDepends onDepends on whether the parties have reached agreement, how many hearings there will be and whether an expert examination is needed.WhenBy stage
Legalisation and translationDepends onMarriage and birth certificates from abroad: fees of the issuing country and the UAE embassy, MOFA attestation — AED 150 per personal document, translation into Arabic by a licensed translator. Indicative as of October 2026.WhenBefore filing
Notary and powers of attorneyDepends onA power of attorney for the advocate or a relative — before a UAE notary or abroad with subsequent legalisation. MOFA attests a general power of attorney from abroad as a commercial document — AED 2,000 instead of AED 150; indicative as of October 2026.WhenAt the start
Visa fees and finesDepends onTransferring the family’s visas to a new sponsor — at immigration rates. Beyond the grace period — AED 50 for each day (ICP, October 2026).WhenOn transfer
Civil marriage in Abu DhabiDepends onCourt fee: AED 300 for a standard application, up to 10 working days; AED 2,500 for an express one, within 1 working day. A prenuptial agreement is certified for a separate AED 950. Indicative as of October 2026.WhenOn application
Our feeDepends onAnalysis of the applicable law, the agreement, coordination of the advocate and the visa team.WhenBy stage

Deadlines

The visa is cancelled: how many days the family has — and other deadlines

The scale shows ICP grace periods from the date the visa is cancelled. In Dubai, visas are handled by GDRFA: we confirm the period for your emirate before it runs out. Below are the deadlines triggered by a divorce, leaving a job and a new visa.

0123456months from visa cancellation

Day 0

Family visas cancelled

The spouse’s and children’s visas rest on the sponsor and are cancelled together with the sponsor’s visa. The grace period runs from this date — for a new visa or departure.

60 days

End of the grace period — sponsored visas

ICP allows this much for visas issued through a sponsor or host; Dubai’s GDRFA expressly states 60 days after cancellation for family visas as well.

If missed: AED 50 for each day beyond the grace period

180 days

Divorced wives and widows of residents

ICP gives them an extended grace period, as it does families of Golden, Green and Blue Visa holders. Dubai’s GDRFA does not list this category separately — we confirm the period in advance.

If missed: AED 50 for each day beyond the grace period

Event-driven

7 consecutive days of absence
Absence-from-work report
An employer may file it with MOHRE. Challenge it straight away: with evidence that you were working, were absent for a valid reason or left lawfully.
If missed: if MOHRE confirms it, the work permit is cancelled, and a new one is, as a rule, not issued for a year
15 days after the divorce
Registering a divorce for Muslims
A husband who has pronounced a divorce must document it in court. The wife retains the right to prove the divorce.
If missed: without a valid reason — compensation to the wife equal to maintenance from the date of divorce until registration
Entry permit issued
New visa from abroad
If the family has left and is returning on a new visa: entry within 60 days of the permit being issued; medical test, biometrics and visa issuance within 60 days of entry.
If missed: AED 50 for each day beyond the deadline

Getting it right

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 6 open

01 What people often do
Taking a child abroad “for the holidays” without the other parent’s consent.
02 What people often do
Filing for divorce without checking which law will apply.
03 What people often do
Dealing with the visa after the divorce is over.
04 What people often do
Not resolving an overstayed visa in the hope of an amnesty.
05 What people often do
Arguing with a former spouse over messengers.
06 What people often do
Signing an “all-purpose” power of attorney for a relative.

FAQ

Expert answers

Violetta Absalyamova — Business support and legal matters

As a rule, yes, if you live in the UAE. Non-Muslims file under the federal civil law or ask for the law of their own country to be applied. The case is heard by the court of the emirate where you live. In Abu Dhabi, that is the Civil Family Court: it accepts residents of the emirate and couples who married there, if the spouses come from countries where family law is not based on Sharia. In Dubai — the Dubai Courts. You will need the marriage certificate legalised and translated into Arabic.